Convergent evidence of eagle talons used by late Neanderthals in Europe: a further assessment on symbolism

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 10;9(7):e101278. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101278. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

To contribute to have a better understanding of the symbolic or not use of certain items by Neanderthals, this work presents new evidence of the deliberate removal of raptor claws occurred in Mediterranean Europe during the recent phases of the Mousterian. Rio Secco Cave in the north-east of Italy and Mandrin Cave in the Middle Rhône valley have recently produced two golden eagle pedal phalanges from contexts not younger than 49.1-48.0 ky cal BP at Rio Secco and dated around 50.0 ky cal BP at Mandrin. The bones show cut-marks located on the proximal end ascribable to the cutting of the tendons and the incision of the cortical organic tissues. Also supported by an experimental removal of large raptor claws, our reconstruction explains that the deliberate detachment occurred without damaging the claw, in a way comparable at a general level with other Mousterian contexts across Europe. After excluding that these specimens met the nutritional requirements for human subsistence, we discuss the possible implications these findings perform in our current knowledge of the European Middle Palaeolithic context.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caves
  • Eagles / anatomy & histology*
  • Europe
  • Hoof and Claw*
  • Humans
  • Neanderthals*
  • Paleontology
  • Tool Use Behavior*

Grants and funding

Financial support to Rio Secco Research Project is provided by the Administration of the Clauzetto Municipality and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and a group of public institutions (Ecomuseo delle Dolomiti Friulane “Lis Aganis”, BIM Tagliamento Consortium, Pordenone Province), Foundations (Fondazione CRUP) and private companies (Buzzi Unicem Spa, Albino Armani winegrover, Fantinel winegrovers). Grotte Mandrin researches were conducted with the full financial support of the French Rhône-Alpes Regional Archaeological Service (SRA-DRAC) from Lyon. The experimental butchering was supported by the Committee and Research Exploration of the National Geographic Society (Grant 9222-11). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.